Broccoli sold at Walmart is being recalled over fears they could be contaminated with the deadly bacteria listeria.
The FDA revealed that routine testing of 12-oz bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets — sold across 20 states — had detected the micro-organism in one batch.
None of the broccolis included in the recall remain on grocery store shelves, but officials fear they could still be lurking in customers’ freezers.
People have been urged to throw out the contaminated broccoli or to return it to stores for a full refund.
No illnesses or deaths have been reported to date in the recall, but officials are urging anyone who believes they were sickened by the broccoli to report their illness.
Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and newborns, where it can cause miscarriages or stillbirths.
It is also particularly dangerous for older adults who have a weaker immune system.
A batch of 12-oz broccoli florets sold at Walmart for $2.47 each is being recalled over fears it could be contaminated with listeria
Revealing the recall, officials said testing by the Texas Department of Health had detected the bacteria in one of several batches sold in their state.
The broccoli has been sold in 20 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
It has a sell-by date of December 10, and a lot code — found printed on the front of the bag — of BFFG327A6.
The broccoli was manufactured by Braga Fresh, which sells greens such as salads, celery and parsley to major grocery stores.
In 2022, Walmart named Braga Fresh as its produce supplier of the year.
Listeria can contaminate everything from raw vegetables, unpasteurized dairy and deli meats, and is behind about 47 recalls every year.
It causes the disease listeriosis, and while healthy people may only have a short-term illness, pregnant women, newborns and elderly people are at risk of serious infections.
Symptoms healthy people may experience include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
In more serious cases, it can cause confusion, loss of balance and convulsions if it spreads to the nervous system.
About 1,600 people are infected with listeria every year.
Listeria contamination was behind several major recalls last year, including a recall of 10million pounds of beef and poultry used in ready-to-eat meals.
It was also behind a major recall of Boar’s Head products, with the outbreak leading to 10 deaths and 61 people sickened by tainted deli meat.
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